After watching Declan Rice bag his first Premier League brace at Bournemouth – goals that secured a valuable three points for Arsenal – Mikel Arteta was quick to agree the England international is one of the best midfielders in world football.
Rice has been a regular presence on shortlists for the game’s biggest individual honours in recent years, from PFA and Premier League Player of the Season awards to the Ballon d’Or. Add in successive European Championship finals with England, leading West Ham to Conference League glory as captain, and playing a central role in Arsenal’s last two title pushes, and it’s clear why the Gunners were willing to spend £100 million to bring him to north London.
All of which is to say, it’s little surprise his manager believes he has a gem on his hands.
“For me, yes,” replied Arteta when asked if Rice is one of the best in his position.
“For me, the ones that we have are the best. Declan is constantly adding things to his game. He’s constantly adding things to his role in the team.
“I don’t see where he can stop because he can still improve in a lot of areas and he wants to improve. He’s such a pivotal player for us.”
Rice completing the full 90 minutes at the Vitality Stadium was all the more impressive given he was a major doubt to feature. Asked to fill in at right-back against Brighton a week earlier, he produced a swashbuckling display but picked up a knee problem that ruled him out of the midweek win over Aston Villa. A race against time followed.
“Every hour for him was important to be available today,” revealed Arteta.
“We didn’t know for how long [he’d last], so in the manner that he competed, played and on top of that scored two goals, I think it was outstanding, and a really big message for the team.”
Arteta added: “He was so disappointed not to play against Villa. He really wanted it. He tried in the morning, it was nowhere near a possibility. He wanted to train the next day, it wasn’t a possibility.
“Until the last minute I asked him, how are you feeling? He said, I’m in. And he showed that he was big time in.”
Since joining Arsenal in the summer of 2023, Rice has registered 47 goal involvements in 130 appearances (20 goals and 27 assists). He’s become a genuine weapon in the final third, with ball-striking that stands out even in a technically gifted squad. That made it all the more surprising that Saturday’s brace was his first in nearly 300 Premier League appearances, though he did, of course, score two stunning free-kicks against Real Madrid.
On Rice being tasked with adding goals to his game, Arteta said: “Yes. Not chipping in. To chip in, you have to do a lot of things.
“First of all, you have to get into those positions. He has the ability when he gets into those positions to put the ball in the back of the net.
“He’s done it in a very similar way in both actions, and he’s very consistent there.”
In the summer, Rice revealed that goal involvement targets had been set. Asked whether the player had driven that conversation, Arteta explained: “I think we sit down together and set goals. Setting goals is not enough. You need a plan to implement and make it happen.
“He’s extremely consistent in everything that you ask him to do and everything that he really wants to do. That’s what makes the difference.
“First of all, he has the ability and the qualities to achieve that for sure. But then you need the consistency to do it. He’s doing it every single day, and then you see that kind of performance.”
As the season edges towards the business end, a performance like Rice’s yesterday feels increasingly significant. Arsenal will need goals from everywhere, authority in the tough moments and leaders willing to push through discomfort. Rice, once again, ticked every box.